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May

VSAC to open college savings accounts for babies born on ‘529 Day’

Every baby born at a VT hospital May 29 to receive a $100 VHEIP account

WINOOSKI (May 4, 2015) – Each baby born at a Vermont hospital on May 29 this year will receive a $100 deposit into a 529 college savings account opened in his or her name by the Vermont Student Assistance Corp.

The Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems is joining VSAC, which administers Vermont’s 529 college savings plan, to help educate Vermont families about saving for college for their children.

“We are excited to partner with VSAC on 529 Day because it’s another way our community hospitals can be there for Vermonters at every stage of life,” said VAHHS CEO and President Bea Grause. “Our members are dedicated to providing high quality, affordable, accessible health care. And the health care reforms we’re working on now connect Vermonters with tools to help them succeed far beyond the walls of their local hospital.”

A 529 plan is an education savings plan operated by a state or educational institution designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs. It is named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, which created these types of savings plans in 1996.

Research shows that children with college savings are three times more likely to attend college and four times more likely to graduate than children with no college savings.

“College savings accounts are clearly a powerful tool,” said Scott Giles, president and CEO of VSAC. “We want to encourage parents to open a VHEIP account and get started early to save for college. The ideal time to begin saving is between birth and age 5 in order to allow your investment to build over time.”

Also, parents of newborns can encourage family and friends to contribute to their child’s VHEIP account through e-gifting. “Family and friends can make significant contributions to a child’s college savings account over time through birthday, holiday and graduation gifts,” Giles said. E-gifting makes it easy to contribute to a VHEIP account online and the valuable gift will last a lifetime.

About VSAC – Changing Lives through Education and Training since 1965

Vermont Student Assistance Corporation is a public, nonprofit agency established by the Vermont Legislature in 1965 to help Vermonters achieve their education and training goals after high school. VSAC serves students and their families in grades 7-12, as well as adults returning to school, by providing education and career planning services, need-based grants, scholarships and education loans. VSAC has awarded more than $600 million in grants and scholarships for Vermont students, and also administers Vermont’s 529 college savings plan. Share your VSAC story by email to myVSACstory@vsac.orgor submit a video to YouTube. Find us at www.vsac.org or check in on Facebook and Twitter. #changing lives

About VAHHS

VAHHS is a member-owned organization devoted to improving the health status of communities throughout Vermont. Its activities include advocacy, policy development, education and research. VAHHS works in partnership with dozens of Vermont health care organizations on a wide variety of issues, providing educational and research services for members and non-members alike. VAHHS supports coordination of our members’ health care services with other health or social service organizations. For more information, visit www.vahhs.org.